New Opera House

According to an article in the Associated Press, the new opera house, which was built on behalf of and donated to the city of Copenhagen by Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller (through his foundation), will open on 15 January 2005. Noted is that the ballet will use the opera house when the repertoire requires a large orchestra.

On another thread -- I apologize, Effy, for starting a new one -- Effy notes that the opening will be televised, and lists the ballet performances that will be part of the opening gala (click here).

Apparently the Opera House has been the subject of quite a controversy, at least according to an article published in the New York Times on 15 January 05. It's now in paid archives on the NYT site, but andante.com has licensed it for use on its site. (Links usually stay valid for 14 days.) The Opera House was built at the behest and complete control of its donor, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller through a process that was about as opposite to the selection of Peter Boal as AD of PNB as one can get.

This is my favorite quote from the article:

Kresten Schultz Jørgensen, the spokesman for the Royal Danish Theater, which also operates the Royal Danish Opera, considered the donation an incredible opportunity. "You don't get a present like this every day," Jørgensen said. "This is going to be the biggest cultural building in Denmark. We are very grateful, and especially the artists are thrilled."